Thermoelectric devices turn heat into electricity or vice versa. To work efficiently, the particles that are used to construct the device need to be as one-dimensional as possible. The best possible shape for these particles is a long, thin wire, which maximizes the electrical conductivity and minimizes the thermal conductivity of the device. Thermoelectric devices will allow waste heat to be captured and reused, greatly increasing efficiency.

Purdue University researchers have developed several novel titanates for use in advanced thermoelectric devices. These new titanates could be used for harvesting electricity from the waste heat at high temperatures, whereas traditional tellurium or antimony-based compounds will either oxidize or decompose. Alternative applications include use as an energy storage device such as super capacitors.